OHS351 Syllabus - English For Competitive Examinations - 2021 Regulation - Open Elective | Anna University

OHS351 Syllabus - English For Competitive Examinations - 2021 Regulation - Open Elective | Anna University

OHS351	ENGLISH FOR COMPETITIVE EXAMINATIONS	L T P C

3003

Course Description:

Students aspiring to take up competitive exams of which the English language is a vital component will find this course useful. Designed for students in the higher semesters, the course will help students to familiarise themselves with those aspects of English that are tested in these examinations.

OBJECTIVES:

• To train the students in the language components essential to face competitive examinations both at the national (UPSC, Banking, Railway, Defence) and the international level (GRE, TOEFL, IELTS).
• To enhance an awareness of the specific patterns in language testing and the respective skills to tackle verbal reasoning and verbal ability tests.
• To inculcate effective practices in language-learning in order to improve accuracy in usage of grammar and coherence in writing.
• To improve students’ confidence to express their ideas and opinions in formal contexts
• To create awareness of accuracy and precision in communication

UNIT I		9

Orientation on different formats of competitive exams - Vocabulary – Verbal ability – Verbal reasoning - Exploring the world of words – Essential words – Meaning and their usage – Synonyms-antonyms – Word substitution – Word analogy – Idioms and phrases – Commonly confused words – Spellings – Word expansion – New words in use.

UNIT II		9

Grammar – Sentence improvement –Sentence completion – Rearranging phrases into sentences – Error identification –Tenses – Prepositions – Adjectives – Adverbs – Subject-verb agreement – Voice – Reported speech – Articles – Clauses – Speech patterns.

UNIT III		9

Reading - Specific information and detail – Identifying main and supporting ideas – Speed reading techniques – Improving global reading skills – Linking ideas – Summarising – Understanding argument – Identifying opinion/attitude and making inferences - Critical reading.

UNIT IV		9

Writing – Pre-writing techniques – Mindmap - Describing pictures and facts - Paragraph structure – organising points – Rhetoric writing – Improving an answer – Drafting, writing and developing an argument – Focus on cohesion – Using cohesive devices –Analytic writing – Structure and types of essay – Mind maps – Structure of drafts, letters, memos, emails – Statements of Purpose – Structure, Content and Style.

UNIT V		9

Writing – Pre-writing techniques – Mindmap - Describing pictures and facts - Paragraph structure – organising points – Rhetoric writing – Improving an answer – Drafting, writing and developing an argument – Focus on cohesion – Using cohesive devices –Analytic writing – Structure and types of essay – Mind maps – Structure of drafts, letters, memos, emails – Statements of Purpose – Structure, Content and Style.

TOTAL: 45 PERIODS

Learning Outcomes: At the end of the course, learners will be able

• expand their vocabulary and gain practical techniques to read and comprehend a wide range of texts with the emphasis required
• identify errors with precision and write with clarity and coherence
• understand the importance of task fulfilment and the usage of task-appropriate vocabulary
• communicate effectively in group discussions, presentations and interviews
• write topic based essays with precision and accuracy

TEXT BOOKS:

1. R.P.Bhatnagar - General English for Competitive Examinations. Macmillan India Limited, 2009.

REFERENCEBOOKS:

1. Educational Testing Service - The Official Guide to the GRE Revised General Test, Tata McGraw Hill, 2010.
2. The Official Guide to the TOEFL Test, Tata McGraw Hill, 2010.
3. R Rajagopalan- General English for Competitive Examinations, McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited, 2008.